A reformed gangster is released from prison and attempts to protect his family from his enemies.A reformed gangster is released from prison and attempts to protect his family from his enemies.A reformed gangster is released from prison and attempts to protect his family from his enemies.
- Awards
- 5 wins & 6 nominations total
Rajinikanth
- Kabali
- (as Super Star Rajni)
Riythvika Panneerselvam
- Meena
- (as Riythvika)
Hari Krishnan
- Tiger
- (as Hari)
Nassar
- Tamilnesan
- (as Nasser)
Udhayabanu Maheshwaran
- Durai
- (as Uday Mahesh)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
Kabali – show on more emotional side of a don
When we come to hear rajini movie is going to release, we start imagining a stereotyped rajinism in his movie!Its true.. which is been happening from last 3 decades! In kabali PA.Ranjith has tried hard to change this stereotyped rajini movie into a non-rajini movie.In this journey has he succeeded? Coming to the story of kabali..it does have a water thin story line with lots of depth . Rajini sir acting is one of the major plus point of the movie, his simplicity, mannerism and stand back in few scenes n giving opportunity to other actors r worthwhile to mention. Radhika apte ,kalaiyarasan,john vijay,dhansika,dinesh,rithvika are apt to their respective roles.
Antagonists Winston chao,Kishore are perfect n need to mention here Kishore acting was appreciable throughout the movie. Coming to music Santhosh Narayan has marvellous talent n is proved with his songs and BGM in the whole movie which indeed takes this movie to another level! PA.Ranjith should have made little more concentration on the screenplay and a bit on rajinism to satisfy rajini fans.Though movie may not offer rajinism at the whole,one can keep a little less expectation and enjoy this wonderful emotional life of kabaleeshwaran AKA kabali.
When we come to hear rajini movie is going to release, we start imagining a stereotyped rajinism in his movie!Its true.. which is been happening from last 3 decades! In kabali PA.Ranjith has tried hard to change this stereotyped rajini movie into a non-rajini movie.In this journey has he succeeded? Coming to the story of kabali..it does have a water thin story line with lots of depth . Rajini sir acting is one of the major plus point of the movie, his simplicity, mannerism and stand back in few scenes n giving opportunity to other actors r worthwhile to mention. Radhika apte ,kalaiyarasan,john vijay,dhansika,dinesh,rithvika are apt to their respective roles.
Antagonists Winston chao,Kishore are perfect n need to mention here Kishore acting was appreciable throughout the movie. Coming to music Santhosh Narayan has marvellous talent n is proved with his songs and BGM in the whole movie which indeed takes this movie to another level! PA.Ranjith should have made little more concentration on the screenplay and a bit on rajinism to satisfy rajini fans.Though movie may not offer rajinism at the whole,one can keep a little less expectation and enjoy this wonderful emotional life of kabaleeshwaran AKA kabali.
When a Rajinikanth movie releases, we all go thronging up with more fascinations and exhilarations to see Thalaivar performing the mass acts. But before watching Kabali, there were clear assumptions that it is going to be a class movie more than mass. This was my expectation while going to the theatres and the result is that I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Till the interval, though long, it's very fast paced with a great story or anything. But after interval, we are in for a serious and emotional drama, where Pa. Ranjith comes to the fore. The drama gets emotionally gripping and, at times, heart-churning. Heroine Radhika Apte and Riythvika deliver excellent performance. Sai Dhansikaa is seen in a suave and stylish role, which caters to action lovers. Sai Dhansikaa performed action sequences. Women may even begin to style themselves like Dhansikaa. The female roles are hugely powerful like male characters.
Rajinikanth strikes awe in every frame with his majestic screen presence. Santhosh Narayanan's equally fiery and blazing instrument- wielding prowess gives Neruppuda Rajinikanth the perfect pedestal for us to admire what he is!
The climax is positive, though thankfully not linear, and predictability has been avoided. It feels that the pre-climax scene suffices but Pa Ranjith is a director, who aspires to be a director of class. So, he has that ambiguous climax, which can give rise to a sequel, if Kabali is well-received. Kabali story treatment is extraordinary. Kabali is sure to be a all time blockbuster but we should wait and see how well it is received, especially to see if the ambiguous climax will be well-received!
Rajinikanth strikes awe in every frame with his majestic screen presence. Santhosh Narayanan's equally fiery and blazing instrument- wielding prowess gives Neruppuda Rajinikanth the perfect pedestal for us to admire what he is!
The climax is positive, though thankfully not linear, and predictability has been avoided. It feels that the pre-climax scene suffices but Pa Ranjith is a director, who aspires to be a director of class. So, he has that ambiguous climax, which can give rise to a sequel, if Kabali is well-received. Kabali story treatment is extraordinary. Kabali is sure to be a all time blockbuster but we should wait and see how well it is received, especially to see if the ambiguous climax will be well-received!
'Kabali' turned out to be a phenomenon across the globe prior to its release,being the most hyped film from India in recent times featuring Thalaivar Rajnikanth in a gangster avatar that was expected to be a treat for the fans of the veteran superstar in particular with sequences reminding his yesteryear blockbusters.The movie reached theaters amidst sky-high expectations in a massive count of 300 screens across Kerala,thanks to the combined effort from S.Thanu and Ashirwad Cinemas.
If someone ask me a one word review for the movie,my immediate answer will be 'Disappointing'.Nothing surprising as the scenario isn't new to Kollywood where the major share of well-anticipated movies,particularly in this decade has failed to generate a satisfactory response from the common audience and the critics alike.In simple words,the mass hype generated was too much for a half-baked emotional thriller like Kabali that moves in a lethargic pace for the most part of the narration.
Pa.Ranjith has made a mark on the Kollywood industry with his two odd films Attakathi and Madras that were utterly realistic and easily expected in the list of personal favorites of anyone who is seriously into Tamil movies.Kabali being helmed by Ranjith,there were clear assumptions from a major section that its going to be a realistic,slow-paced thriller rather than an out and out Rajnikanth film like Shankar's Sivaji or K.S Ravikumar's Padayappa.
The movie gave me a feeling that Thalaivar Rajnikanth was casted in a role that had shades of typical Ulaganayagan Kamal Hassan portrayals,particularly coming to the emotional sequences.The goose-bump sequences were minimal and elevated only by the grace and dialogue delivery of the superstar.
The pace was really an issue leaving side the initial sequences and choked a smooth narrative.The lack of logic in the screenplay was evident and turned a hiccup in multiple junctures in the clichéd storyline.The flashback sequences were comapritively realistic and presented well by Ranjith.
The climax turned unintentionally funny due to poor execution and could have dealt much better..The action sequences too were a mixed bag,with two fights being well-choreographed and two,especially the climax fight being a big letback.
Rajni movies are always known for repeated audience and cherishable mass sequences,but Kabali fails in this part too as there were only a hand full or even less number of memorable sequences that will stay in the minds once we are out of the cinema hall. There were rumors about a superstar making surprise cameo in the movie but didn't materialize.
None would point-out a single film where Rajnikanth failed to impress with his style and acting prowess and this time too the 66 year old actor has managed to pull off a really impressive performance as Kabaleeswaran,the good-hearted gangster.Another pick among the cast was Dhansika playing the role of a hit-girl giving out a refreshing performance.Radhika Apte was well-cast as the lead heroine,but couldn't deliver a standout performance as expected.Attakathi Dinesh's character was peculiar and made its presence felt ,the same time giving him a break from his usual village-oriented roles.The rest of the cast that includes Kishore,John Vijay etc did their part well.Taiwaneese actor Winsyon Chao failed to enact a menacing villain.
The songs and background score by Ranjiths favorite Santhosh Narayanan were adequate as far as the narration is concerned,but couldn't make much impact except for the 'Nerrupu Da' bit that created a huge buzz before the release.There were good number of interesting slow motion sequences by G.Murali who did his job well the camera.Cuts by Praveen K.L could have been better.
In all means,Kabali is an opportunity wasted by Pa.Ranjith who failed to utilize the charisma of the veteran actor to the fullest.Better less said about a thriller where the so called 'thrills' take a backseat.Give it a miss or watch it just for Superstar Rajnjikanth and his evergreen style of acting.
If someone ask me a one word review for the movie,my immediate answer will be 'Disappointing'.Nothing surprising as the scenario isn't new to Kollywood where the major share of well-anticipated movies,particularly in this decade has failed to generate a satisfactory response from the common audience and the critics alike.In simple words,the mass hype generated was too much for a half-baked emotional thriller like Kabali that moves in a lethargic pace for the most part of the narration.
Pa.Ranjith has made a mark on the Kollywood industry with his two odd films Attakathi and Madras that were utterly realistic and easily expected in the list of personal favorites of anyone who is seriously into Tamil movies.Kabali being helmed by Ranjith,there were clear assumptions from a major section that its going to be a realistic,slow-paced thriller rather than an out and out Rajnikanth film like Shankar's Sivaji or K.S Ravikumar's Padayappa.
The movie gave me a feeling that Thalaivar Rajnikanth was casted in a role that had shades of typical Ulaganayagan Kamal Hassan portrayals,particularly coming to the emotional sequences.The goose-bump sequences were minimal and elevated only by the grace and dialogue delivery of the superstar.
The pace was really an issue leaving side the initial sequences and choked a smooth narrative.The lack of logic in the screenplay was evident and turned a hiccup in multiple junctures in the clichéd storyline.The flashback sequences were comapritively realistic and presented well by Ranjith.
The climax turned unintentionally funny due to poor execution and could have dealt much better..The action sequences too were a mixed bag,with two fights being well-choreographed and two,especially the climax fight being a big letback.
Rajni movies are always known for repeated audience and cherishable mass sequences,but Kabali fails in this part too as there were only a hand full or even less number of memorable sequences that will stay in the minds once we are out of the cinema hall. There were rumors about a superstar making surprise cameo in the movie but didn't materialize.
None would point-out a single film where Rajnikanth failed to impress with his style and acting prowess and this time too the 66 year old actor has managed to pull off a really impressive performance as Kabaleeswaran,the good-hearted gangster.Another pick among the cast was Dhansika playing the role of a hit-girl giving out a refreshing performance.Radhika Apte was well-cast as the lead heroine,but couldn't deliver a standout performance as expected.Attakathi Dinesh's character was peculiar and made its presence felt ,the same time giving him a break from his usual village-oriented roles.The rest of the cast that includes Kishore,John Vijay etc did their part well.Taiwaneese actor Winsyon Chao failed to enact a menacing villain.
The songs and background score by Ranjiths favorite Santhosh Narayanan were adequate as far as the narration is concerned,but couldn't make much impact except for the 'Nerrupu Da' bit that created a huge buzz before the release.There were good number of interesting slow motion sequences by G.Murali who did his job well the camera.Cuts by Praveen K.L could have been better.
In all means,Kabali is an opportunity wasted by Pa.Ranjith who failed to utilize the charisma of the veteran actor to the fullest.Better less said about a thriller where the so called 'thrills' take a backseat.Give it a miss or watch it just for Superstar Rajnjikanth and his evergreen style of acting.
I liked, by far, not the best of the Indians, but the joint production with Malaysia yielded a good film, some uncomfortable and artificial situations, almost vexatious, but it involves and captivates us ...
It is a very nice movie with limited songs and almost zero dance, Which is something special about this movie.
Rajini lovers please watch the movie and please notice his dressing style. Its Awesome!!!
Makeup Artist has done a great job.
Dunno why people said its draggy, which I totally dint feel.
Watch the movie and come to a conclusion, don't listen to what people say( Includes my opinion too).
Please do not read reviews and go with the same expectation because people have different tastes.
I personally liked every bit of it.
Overall a nice move. Will not disappoint fans.
Rajini lovers please watch the movie and please notice his dressing style. Its Awesome!!!
Makeup Artist has done a great job.
Dunno why people said its draggy, which I totally dint feel.
Watch the movie and come to a conclusion, don't listen to what people say( Includes my opinion too).
Please do not read reviews and go with the same expectation because people have different tastes.
I personally liked every bit of it.
Overall a nice move. Will not disappoint fans.
Did you know
- TriviaKabali is the first ever Indian film to be released in Malay language. Rajnikanth has a wide fanbase in Malaysia.
- GoofsIn the flashback scene,Tamilmaran comes to apologise to Kabali while he is eating with family, the scene is set at the backdrop of Merdeka Square, the scene is supposed to have happened 25 years back but modern buildings which was not yet constructed in KL can be seen.
Also in various other scenes, various cars which were not released in early 90's can be still be seen,.
- Alternate versionsIn Malaysia, the film was initially given a 18 classification due to violence but after undergoing cuts, the film was revised to P13 rating for theatrical release.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Dil Bechara (2020)
- SoundtracksUlagam Oruvanukka
(Tamil)
written by Kabilan, Viveka and Roshan Jamrock
Produced by: Santhosh Narayanan
performed by Ananthu, Santhosh Narayanan, Gaana Bala and Roshan Jamrock
- How long is Kabali?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- ₹1,250,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $3,903,095
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $2,157,621
- Jul 24, 2016
- Gross worldwide
- $4,388,789
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